- Time of past OR future Camino
- Recent:Norte/Muxia- Spring '23
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There's no need to shy away from trains in Europe. Once you get the hang of them, you'll see why so few Europeans own cars. From CDG in Paris, take the express (even the TGV) to Lyon, change to St-Etienne, and change again. The last leg into Le Puy used to be rail also, but sometimes runs by bus these days. Moissac is on a good rail line, and only one change is necessary to return to Paris.1) getting to LePuy from Paris. ...and back ...
Strenuousness is entirely relative; this is a hike, not a backpacking adventure. Nothing at all like the Appalachian Trail, for instance. It's true that on the first section, Le Puy - Conques, there are several memorable descents/ascents where rivers have cut deep valleys into the limestone plateau. But French grandmothers walk them every day! And it is possible to send one's bag on ahead on challenging days, if you like. There are times when the footing is stony, and one must be careful where to put one's feet. But these are quite the exceptions rather than the rule.2) quite strenuous with difficult walking ups and downs in the earlier stages.
I went to LePuy via Lyon, which was pretty straightforward (train to St. Etienne, and train to LePuy), so no help there. The stretch you are talking about is indeed strenuous, but nothing worse then the Norte/Primitivo. Time tends to put a rosy glow on things, but I do think they are pretty equal in difficulty. To me, conditions make as much difference as actual climbing; rain and heat can magnify the perceived effort. You are in for a treat, though, the Chemin St. Jacques is wonderful.I am hoping to walk the LePuy route with two Camino friends June 2018, taking approximately three weeks to go as far as Mossaic. I have two questions for the moment.
1) In my research, it seems rather difficult to coordinate getting to LePuy from Paris. Other than an expensive flight, it looks like a combination of busing and train(s). Also, heading back to Paris looks like it may be difficult as well. For those of you who have done this, what worked for you logistically?
2) I have read that this route is quite strenuous with difficult walking ups and downs in the earlier stages. I have walked the Norte/Primitivo combination. Is the LePuy similar or more difficult?
Thank you in advance for any help or ideas!
2) I have read that this route is quite strenuous with difficult walking ups and downs in the earlier stages. I have walked the Norte/Primitivo combination. Is the LePuy similar or more difficult?
1) In my research, it seems rather difficult to coordinate getting to LePuy from Paris. Other than an expensive flight, it looks like a combination of busing and train(s). Also, heading back to Paris looks like it may be difficult as well. For those of you who have done this, what worked for you logistically?
Hi Camino Chris,
There's a good website initiated by a Canadian - Chloe Rose - who walked the Le Puy route last year. Her report on Transportation can be viewed on this link: https://www.solocamino.com/transportation/
I suggest Chloe Rose's website is a very good resource for anyone intending to walk from Le Puy, lots of useful info, including a very touching story of the open heart of a French woman called Edwidge. You can read that here also: https://www.caminoadventures.com/le-puy-santiago-bad-shoes-meeting-good-friends/
Buen Camino
For those of you who have done this, what worked for you logistically?
I am hoping to walk the LePuy route with two Camino friends June 2018, taking approximately three weeks to go as far as Mossaic. I have two questions for the moment.
1) In my research, it seems rather difficult to coordinate getting to LePuy from Paris. Other than an expensive flight, it looks like a combination of busing and train(s). Also, heading back to Paris looks like it may be difficult as well. For those of you who have done this, what worked for you logistically?
2) I have read that this route is quite strenuous with difficult walking ups and downs in the earlier stages. I have walked the Norte/Primitivo combination. Is the LePuy similar or more difficult?
Thank you in advance for any help or ideas!
Thanks! Sounds like a perfect final night's option and we will try to plan to stay there.Hi, All great advice you've been getting. Trains are easy. Moissac is a good spot to stop. If you have 3 weeks you'll be fine. My wife and I took 17 days to get to Moissac in 2010. Try Gite Ultreia (www.ultreiamoissac.com) in Moissac. Real close to the train station and the hosts, Rom and Aideen, are a great help. Bon Chemin. Dayton and Karen
That would be great to meet you. We tentatively plan to leave around June 1st 2018 from the USA and I'd assume start walking on the 3rd.Hi Camino Chris
My sister Jenny and I are planning to walk this route in possibly June 2018. The information in the post will be very useful in our planning. Maybe we will see you out there.
Absolutely - we will be coming from NZ. I will post our travel plans once we have confirmed them.That would be great to meet you. We tentatively plan to leave around June 1st 2018 from the USA and I'd assume start walking on the 3rd.
There's a good website initiated by a Canadian - Chloe Rose - who walked the Le Puy route last year. Her report on Transportation can be viewed on this link: https://www.solocamino.com/transportation/
I suggest Chloe Rose's website is a very good resource for anyone intending to walk from Le Puy, lots of useful info, including a very touching story of the open heart of a French woman called Edwidge. You can read that here also: https://www.caminoadventures.com/le-puy-santiago-bad-shoes-meeting-good-friends/
Chloe Rose's site is indeed full of useful information. I just wish that the advertisements could be a little less intrusive!
Hi Linda, We arrive in Le Puy late afternoon on May 31, 2018. Have you secured your travel dates yet?Absolutely - we will be coming from NZ. I will post our travel plans once we have confirmed them.
Hi Linda, We arrive in Le Puy late afternoon on May 31, 2018. Have you secured your travel dates yet?
Hi Davey,Bon Chemin Chris! And do indeed stay at Gite Ultreia in Moissac, the Bates family who run it are wonderful and a goldmine of information too!
Davey
Hi ChrisHi Linda, We arrive in Le Puy late afternoon on May 31, 2018. Have you secured your travel dates yet?
I agree, Margaret! Unfortunately, the website costs a decent bundle to publish every year and I'm not quite a millionaire yet. The ads on my site are small banners and go a long way.
But in the spirit of helping a fellow pilgrim, you can always download the adblocker extension for your browser. This will hide all advertisements no matter the website, but you might be surprised to see how many websites will block your access and heckle you for not helping them pay some of their maintenance costs.
if you are interested in some recommendations, I loved these:
gite st jacques in le puy. run by superb volunteers and right below the cathedral. lovely separated beds (no bunks) with courtains, a backpack closet and a kitchen.
gite la margueride in saugues. at the start of the old centre, small rooms ( I got an attic double with bathroom attached), wifi and a kitchen in the basement.
a variant via cascade du déroc between pont du marchastel and nasbinals. you can follow my gps:
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2016-014-aumont-aubrac-nasbinals-16766711
gite romiou in st-come-d'olt. smack in the centre, lovely owners, attic dorm with a view of the cathedral, kitchen.
gite hospitalité st jacques in estaing. run by volunteers, big sunny garden, communal dinner.
accueil abbaye ste foy in conques. superb. reserve as soon as you can! they do keep 10 unreservable beds. enjoy an evening tour of the cathedral and an explanation of the portal by one of the monks.
gite relais de la bourrache in seyriac (before figeac). beautiful house with lots of history (a scallop above one doorway!) and very nice owners. has a kitchen. now less off route since gr to figeac has been rerouted.
I really recommend the variante du célé valley. but reserve accommodation in advance as it's less plentiful then on the main rout and st-cirq-lapopie is very popular.
for some off-gr ideas here are my gps:
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2016-023-la-cassagnole-espagnac-ste-eulalie-16779122 (beautiful lanes past dolmens inspired by dave from this forum.)
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2016-025-marcilhac-sur-cele-saint-cirq-lapopie-16790724 (an off-road morning alternative saving climbs till sauliac)
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2016-026-saint-cirq-lapopie-vers-16800778 (an alternative to the main gr with perhaps less elevation gain and no backtracking, also very nice gite in vers)
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2016-027-vers-cahors-16801107 (a short-cut via the former railway line)
gite papillon vert in cahors. an old tower house in the centre near the cathedral, with small rooms and a kitchen. the owner is very cool and you get you own sleepers!
gite ultreia in moissac. very cool owners, a big yard and a kitchen.
I was wondering if you could provide a link or tell how exactly to book a night at Gite St. Jacques in Le Puy
Hi caminka, I was wondering if you could provide a link or tell how exactly to book a night at Gite St. Jacques in Le Puy from the US? That'll be the first night for our party, and we'd like to get that squared away. Any help would be appreciated!
It appears (http://pelerinsdecompostelle.com/relais-du-pelerin-saint-jacques-du-puy-en-velay-43/) the host, Christiane Coste, can be reached by email at coste.marienoelle@neuf.fra link or tell how exactly to book a night at Gite St. Jacques in Le Puy from the US?
It appears (http://pelerinsdecompostelle.com/relais-du-pelerin-saint-jacques-du-puy-en-velay-43/) the host, Christiane Coste, can be reached by email at coste.marienoelle@neuf.fr[/QUOTE
Many thanks for
Your help!
I walked from June 1st through the 26th, going from Le Puy to Auvillar, then walked backward one stage back to Moissac to take the train to Paris for flight home. It was a wonderful camino, although lots of ups and downs that were very long. I did a recap of my trip here on the forum titled "I'm back home!" If you would like to take a look for more details. I will also try to answer any specific questions you may have.How is your walk going Chris?
Thank you Chris! I will take a look at that thread tomorrow!I walked from June 1st through the 26th, going from Le Puy to Auvillar, then walked backward one stage back to Moissac to take the train to Paris for flight home. It was a wonderful camino, although lots of ups and downs that were very long. I did a recap of my trip here on the forum titled "I'm back home!" If you would like to take a look for more details. I will also try to answer any specific questions you may have.
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